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Constitutional review: Group demands Sharia courts in S’West, Friday as public holiday

Published

5 months ago

July 6, 2025

MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola

Constitutional review: Group demands Sharia courts in S’West, Friday as public holiday

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic human rights organization, has called on the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to provide for Sharia Courts in the Southwest and to officially designate Friday as a public holiday to accommodate Muslim religious practices.

The demand was presented during the South West Zonal Public Hearing on the ongoing constitutional review.

Representing the group’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Dr. Jamiu Busari made the submission before the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.

Prof. Akintola, through his representative, emphasized that Muslims in the Southwest lack access to Sharia Courts despite their significant population in the region.

“No Sharia Court currently exists in Southwestern Nigeria, where Muslims arguably form the majority.This contradicts the pre-colonial Yoruba experience before the advent of British rule,” Akintola said.

He proposed the establishment of Sharia Courts across all states in the Southwest, including Edo State, due to their notable Muslim communities.

Akintola further recommended that the Constitution should mandate governors to set up Sharia Courts of Appeal, clarifying that such courts would only deal with issues affecting Muslims.

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“These courts will handle Muslim matters only, ensuring non-Muslims are not affected,” he added.

In addition to judicial reforms, MURIC advocated for a change in the official workweek to include Fridays as public holidays, noting the historical significance of the day to Muslims.

“Thursdays and Fridays were traditional weekends for Muslims in the pre-colonial period.Currently, Nigeria recognises Saturday and Sunday as weekends, both favouring Christians,” he said.

He linked the current weekend structure to colonial influence, adding that Saturday’s full-day holiday status was a later development.

“Saturday was later made a full day to benefit Seventh-Day Adventists under Gen. Yakubu Gowon’s regime,” he added.

Akintola argued that Friday’s exclusion from the weekend does not reflect religious fairness.

“We demand Friday be included as a recognised weekend day for Muslims,” he said.

He pointed out that among Nigeria’s eight national holidays, only three cater to Muslims, while five favour Christian observances. These include Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Eid-Kabir, Eid Fitr, and Maulud.

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The group also pushed for national recognition of the Islamic New Year as a public holiday, stating that several states already observe it.

Another key point in MURIC’s submission was the need for official recognition of Islamic marriage certificates.

“Christian marriages conducted in churches or registries are officially accepted nationwide.But Nikkah marriages are not recognised, creating problems for Muslim couples in formal settings,” he added.

Akintola described the situation as discriminatory and urged equal legal standing for Islamic marriages.

“A religious group’s marriage is officially accepted while another’s is ignored — this must change,” he said.

In a similar submission, the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) echoed the call for Sharia Court inclusion and proposed establishing courts tailored to Islamic financial transactions.

Responding to the presentations, Deputy Senate President Sen. Jubrin Barau, represented by Senate Leader Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, assured that all requests would be reviewed and considered in the final constitutional amendment report.

Constitutional review: Group demands Sharia courts in S’West, Friday as public holiday

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Borno Police Defuse Unexploded Bomb Under Network Mast in Maiduguri

Published

5 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Trends Admin

Borno State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid

Borno Police Defuse Unexploded Bomb Under Network Mast in Maiduguri

The Borno State Police Command on Monday successfully defused an unexploded bomb planted beneath a network mast in Chuskon, Federal Low Cost Area, Maiduguri, averting a potential security threat to residents.

According to Police Public Relations Officer ASP Nahum Daso, the EOD-CBRN Base 13 unit responded promptly after receiving a report from the Divisional Police Officer, ITE Police Division. The explosive device, featuring two protruding wires, was rendered safe following standard bomb disposal procedures. Items including a hand plier, a T-shirt, and a pair of shoes were recovered at the scene, suggesting deliberate placement by unknown individuals.

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“The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, has charged all Divisional Police Officers across the state to intensify patrols and fortify critical infrastructure, especially communication facilities, to prevent sabotage and maintain public safety,” ASP Daso stated.

Following the operation, the police held community sensitization and safety awareness sessions, urging residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious objects promptly, and collaborate with security agencies.

The command assured the public that the situation has been brought under control and that normal activities have resumed in the area. Investigations into the bomb plot are ongoing as authorities continue to strengthen measures to safeguard lives and property across Maiduguri and surrounding communities.

Borno Police Defuse Unexploded Bomb Under Network Mast in Maiduguri

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Aisha Buhari Key to DSS DG Removal, Thwarts Alleged APC Primary Manipulation

Published

5 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Trends Admin

Aisha Buhari

Aisha Buhari Key to DSS DG Removal, Thwarts Alleged APC Primary Manipulation

A new biography, “From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari” by Dr. Charles Omole, has unveiled the pivotal role of former First Lady Aisha Buhari in the removal of Lawal Daura, former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), amid attempts by influential Aso Rock aides to manipulate the 2023 APC presidential primaries for then Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

The book, launched yesterday at the State House Conference Hall by President Bola Tinubu, details how aides close to former President Muhammadu Buhari presented fabricated “presidential orders” to security chiefs—including the IGP, DSS DG, and DG NIA—to deploy forces in favor of Lawan as the consensus APC candidate.

According to the biography, Aisha Buhari was a major instigator in Daura’s ouster, framing it as an early test of Buhari’s commitment to institutional propriety. When then-acting President Yemi Osinbajo approved Daura’s removal, Buhari refrained from intervening, emphasizing respect for the vice president and institutional authority.

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Former IGP Usman Alkali Baba recounted a clandestine meeting ahead of the primaries, revealing how the security chiefs sought clarification from Buhari after being presented with the fake orders. The President reaffirmed his stance that Nigerians should freely choose their candidates, dismissing any attempts to manipulate the party’s process.

The biography also highlights a separate Villa incident where a family dispute escalated to gunfire involving a policeman linked to the First Lady’s office. Buhari’s Chief Security Officer Abubakar Idris arrested the officer, and the President held family members accountable, demonstrating adherence to law over personal ties.

The book launch drew high-profile attendees, including President Bola Tinubu, Gambian President Adama Barrow, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nana Shettima, governors, traditional rulers, Aisha Buhari, and aides of the former president.

The revelations shed new light on Aso Rock power dynamics, the safeguarding of electoral integrity in the APC 2023 primaries, and the influence of Aisha Buhari in upholding institutional order within Nigeria’s security apparatus.

Aisha Buhari Key to DSS DG Removal, Thwarts Alleged APC Primary Manipulation

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Four Suspected Bandits Killed, 13 Abducted in Kogi Shootout

Published

5 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Trends Admin

Four Suspected Bandits Killed, 13 Abducted in Kogi Shootout

At least four suspected bandits were killed during a violent shootout in Ayetoro Kiri, a farming community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Kogi State, on Sunday evening, while 13 individuals were abducted, the state government confirmed on Monday.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the attack was part of a series of incursions by criminal elements fleeing bandit attacks in neighbouring Niger and Kwara States, prompting a coordinated security response in Kogi.

Local hunters reportedly fought back bravely, engaging the bandits in a gunfire exchange, neutralizing four suspects while others fled with injuries. Security forces, including soldiers from the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the Kogi State Police Command, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have been deployed to the area to track the escaping criminals and rescue the kidnapped victims.

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Fanwo revealed that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is coordinating with service chiefs to secure air support from the Nigerian Air Force to complement ground operations, strengthening the state’s effort to protect lives and property.

“The Governor is steadfast in preserving lives and property throughout Kogi State. Our security network has restricted the bandits’ movements, and we are winning the battle,” Fanwo stated, praising the bravery of local hunters and the cooperation of security agencies.

The recent attack follows another deadly raid less than two weeks ago in Irunda Ile, Yagba East LGA, where suspected bandits killed four people, including two vigilantes, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the state.

The Kogi State Government has reassured residents that a robust joint security team has been established, and continuous efforts are underway to rescue abducted persons and clamp down on criminal activities across the state.